A new radical Islamist sect, Ansaru, on Sunday claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping of a French national in Katsina.

The group cited France’s push for military intervention in Mali as a justification, accordint to AFP.

A statement by the group said, “Ansaru announces to the world, especially the French government, that it was responsible for the abduction of engineer Francis Colump, 63, working for the French company Vergnet.”

Wednesday last week, about 30 gunmen stormed Vergnet’s residence in Katsina State, where the alternative energy firm has a wind power project.

“The reason for his kidnap is the stance of the French government and the French people on Islam,” said the statement written in Hausa.

The group specifically pointed to “France’s major role in the (planned) attack on the Islamic state in northern Mali.”

It also cited France’s “law outlawing the use of Islamic veil by Muslim women.”

Paris has backed plans to deploy a west African force in northern Mali to flush out the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist groups who took control of the vast desert territory earlier this year.

“We inform the French government that this group will continue launching attacks on the French government and French citizens … as long as it does not change its stance on these two issues,” the Ansaru statement said.

The police chief in Katsina, Abdullahi Magaji, told AFP that there were indications that former or current employees of Vergnet had been involved, arguing that the attack appeared to be “an inside job.

Ansaru is less well known than Islamist group Boko Haram, which is waging a deadly insurgency in the North since 2009.

The two groups are known to have ties but are seen as independent.

In November, Britain’s interior ministry identified Ansaru as a “Nigeria-based terrorist organisation” and declared membership or support for it illegal.

The group’s full name, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis Sudan, is roughly translated as Vanguards for the aid of Muslims in black Africa.

Now,where are the apologists?I know you will all come here again to say they are not muslims and no-one is going to believe because we all know better. You don‘t need to beat around the bush, let‘s join hands to condemn this evil act because that‘s the only way it can be stopped.

a lawless society like ours gives room for all sorts of terrorist group to operate; but these people are being sponsored by the big names in the north to destabilize the country; but I think the reason why it so easy to brainwash them in carrying out these evil acts is as a result of the high level of illiteracy that is why they can be easily deceived about being highly rewarded for harming their fellow humans in the name of religion cause we have muslims here in the south and they pose no threat to our peace and collective existence

Otenestbestyaho: I look forward 2 d time,when GEJ wil use airstrick in all d northen state(NE N NW),completely destroys d entire region,kil muslims in large number and end islam as a religion-amen

The Quote in Bold. My Friend be very careful with what you utter as it might be used against you on Judgement day.No Jokes. think before you talk.If you have to respond be matured, cos the next thing you might want to do is start a drama which you don't need.